Lhokseumawe beach escapes tsunami
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe
An Acehnese couple, Hadi and Cut Mala, enjoyed the ocean view from Ujung Blang beach in Lhokseumawe while savoring a cold coconut juice.
Although the recent natural disaster had affected most parts of Aceh, Hadi and Cut Mala were not worried.
"There's nothing to be afraid of on this beach. It's safe, there's no giant tidal wave like in other places, and no victims," said 27-year-old Cut Mala, a local teacher who lives nearby in Banda Sakti district.
She said she liked to go to the beach with her boyfriend, Hadi. "It just so happens that he's on leave now, so we've come here. It's peaceful and a good place to relax."
Located in Hagu Teungoh village, Ujung Blang beach is located only two kilometers from Lhokseumawe and can be reached by a motorized pedicab, or becak mesin, the only public transportation in the area.
A trip from Lhokseumawe to the beach costs Rp 3,000, but on weekends, the fare increases to Rp 5,000.
Traders along the beach said that before the tsunami, visitors reached over 100 people, mostly from neighboring cities like Bireuen, Takengon and Sigli in Aceh or even from as far away as Medan.
The number of visitors has dropped sharply since the disaster, and has forced some traders to close up shop.
Siti Sarah, a mother of three and owner of Jambo Kak Sarah food stall, said she had only reopened a couple of days ago, and made only Rp 6,000 on the first day.
Previously, she could bring home around Rp 150,000 on slow days, and up to Rp 800,000 a day on weekends.
"But now it's really hard after the tsunami. Not many visitors come here," said Siti, who opened her food stall last year.
She admitted she did not fear any new tsunamis, although her food stall, just like the others, was located on the beachfront.
When the tsunami hit on Dec. 26 and destroyed most of Aceh, the waves at Ujung Blang beach rose to two meters, but did not cause any damage to residents' houses.
"If the tsunamis hit here, hundreds of people would die and the beach would be history," said Siti.
Ujung Blang has been gaining popularity as a tourist site only in the last three years. The area was once a residential area, but after an alleged arson razed the houses, it was transformed into a tourist resort. Now, at least 70 stalls fill the five- hectare site, offering food and souvenirs.
Siti said before Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province was placed under a state of civil emergency, foreign visitors frequently visited the beach.
"If the beach is managed properly by the government, this region could develop faster because it has tourism potential," she said.